With Croatia completing the second of a two-game UEFA sanction to play behind closed doors, the stadium in Rijeka was deserted and in hindsight, it was probably for the best.

Both sides were solid and set up not to make mistakes rather than take the advantage. With the pitch producing plenty of unpredictable bounces as well, the match was not a great spectacle.

England will take encouragement from the fact that they were compact and hardly put a foot wrong at the back but their build-up play left a lot to be desired. They pushed further up the pitch in the second-half and generated chances by pressing their opponents and committing more numbers forward but couldn’t apply the finishing touch.

Meanwhile, Croatia had their moments on the ball but appeared content to bide their time and wait for the opportunity to stride forward rather than forcing the visitors onto the back foot.

Cagey encounter.

THE GOOD

Set-pieces – England’s prowess from set-pieces was well documented throughout their surprising run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia and still holds them in good stead. Gareth Southgate has mastered the art of taking full advantage of quality delivery and aerial ability. His side are well drilled in their routines and it showed again. Eric Dier struck the upright in the first half from Jordan Henderson’s corner before Harry Kane’s header from the Liverpool skipper’s free-kick in the second crashed off the crossbar.

Teamwork – Croatia went on their own fairytale run at the World Cup – all the way to the final – and have teamwork to thank. Against England, they hunted in packs, closing down the man on the ball. The chemistry within the side came to the fore when Ante Rebic instinctively stepped over Josip Pivaric’s cross for Andrej Kramaric to strike or when Ivan Perisic tracked Kyle Walker all the way to the byline to cover for Pivaric who had tucked in.

England still threaten from set-pieces.

THE BAD

Disjointed approach – At some point, Southgate has got to get England playing better in possession. That they lack creativity in the middle of the park is no secret but with neither Dele Alli nor Jesse Lingard in action on Friday night, they were completely devoid of it. The Three Lions instead relied on set-pieces, counter-attacks and turnovers for their opportunities. The ability to fashion chances through intelligent build-up play is one they continue to lack.

Playing it safe – Given their inferior goal difference in League A Group 4, Croatia needed a win from this encounter more than England but didn’t show it. They were far too cautious when they should’ve tested England’s defence more which had shifted from their usual back three to a back four. Every time Croatia went forward with purpose, their passing and movement was superior to their opponent’s but didn’t commit to going on the offensive often enough.

Croatia were cautious.

TACTICAL TURNING POINT

Formation switches – More of an observation than a turning point but England’s switching between formations had little effect. They set up in a 4-3-3 system and defended in that shape. However, in possession, they did switch to a back three at times early in the first-half with Eric Dier dropping in between the two centre-backs and the full-backs pushing forward. That said, it did not aid England’s build-up play and Southgate seemed to abandon the tactic fairly quickly.

VERDICTS

CROATIA: C-

A largely solid display but failed to create enough clear-cut chances. Dalic’s side were rather timid during the encounter and didn’t deserve anything more than a draw.

ENGLAND: C

Hardly easy on the eye but they had enough chances to win this game. Apart from striking the woodwork twice from set-pieces, Rashford was also guilty of squandering a couple of glorious opportunities.

Hazard was named the second-best player at the World Cup, and since starring in Russia, he’s gotten even better. New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has unlocked Hazard’s best by allowing the playmaker to play with more freedom.

The result has been that the 28-year-old has shot up to the top of the Premier League scoring charts, and begun looking like one of the best players in the world.

Hazard was one of the standout players of the World Cup.

ROMELU LUKAKU

Appearances: 13

Goals: 7

Assists: 0

Lukaku seemed to have emerged from the World Cup a more rounded, mature player, ready to take on greater responsibility. Instead, he’s been in an inexplicable slump for Manchester United, where he’s currently in a six-game goal drought.

His profligacy in front of goal has been a big factor behind United’s middling start to the season, as he’s passed up chances that could have resulted in a different result. Still, seven goals from 13 games is hardly a bad record for an out-of-form striker.

Lukaku starred at the World Cup but has struggled this season.

THIBAUT COURTOIS

Appearances: 8

Saves: 24

Clean Sheets: 4

It’s been a tumultuous time for Courtois after his World Cup heroics. Entering the final season of his contract at Chelsea, he failed to report to training, trying to force through a move to Real Madrid.

He got his wish, though he’s had to split time with Keylor Navas at the Santiago Bernabeu and he’s been part of Madrid’s recent slump. On the plus side, he was named the year’s best goalkeeper by FIFA, and nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

Courtois was named the best goalkeeper of the World Cup, and then for the whole season.

Croatia’s World Cup ended in heartbreak, as a surprise run to the final saw them finish as beaten finalists.

But the momentum of that unexpected finals appearance has spurred some of their players on – not least star man Luka Modric, the man who won the Golden Ball in Russia and has since gone on to pick up more awards.

Ivan Rakitic and Ante Rebic, two of the other architects of Croatia’s passage through the tournament, have also been in excellent form since the summer.

From an individual standpoint, Modric has been doing quite well for himself since winning the Golden Ball at the World Cup. Since then, he’s been named the Best Men’s Player of the Year by both UEFA and FIFA, and he’s the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or.

However, he hasn’t been at his very best on the pitch and his club team is suffering. Real Madrid have lost three times already this season, four if you count the UEFA Super Cup, and they’re in the middle of a four-game winless and goalless run. Modric will hope his time with the national team rejuvenates him.

The Golden Ball was the first of many awards Luka Modric picked up this season.

IVAN RAKITIC

Appearances: 12

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

While team-mate Modric has been receiving all the accolades, Rakitic has gone about his business with typical aplomb, emerging from a World Cup campaign where he was one of the best players.